The majority of Londoners do not want wifi on the Underground system when it
rolls out this summer in time for the 2012 Olympics, according to a new
piece of research.

Fifty-five per cent of the Londoners polled revealed their unhappiness about the internet coming to the tube when questioned. Forty-eight per cent said that they would be concerned about their privacy being compromised when browsing the web on the Underground, particularly when it came to submitting passwords.

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Anyone using the service will have to register initially after which they will have to log on at the start of each journey.

The study, carried out by discounts site My Voucher Codes, which polled 950 Londoners aged 18 and over, also found that 31 per cent of those against the idea were so, because they thought it would lead to an increase in thefts on the tube – especially if people had their laptops and tablet computers on show at all times.

A further 14% of the respondents who were not in favour of wifi on the tube, explained that they thought that people spending their whole journey using the internet would lead to ‘increased stress’ whilst travelling.

The remaining 7% were concerned about the amount of space that would be taken up by people using their laptops.

Initially wifi on London Underground will be free. But eventually anyone wanting full internet access will have to pay unless they are existing Virgin customers.

Otherwise commuters will have to sign up for the company's ‘pay as you go’ service.

The price of the service will be confirmed later in the year when the scheme starts operation in the summer.

“It's vital that we harness the massive opportunities stemming from the digital revolution, by creating a vibrant, world class industry to attract investment and create jobs for Londoners," said Boris Johnson, London's mayor.

"Millions of passengers will now be able to connect to their work, friends or access the latest news and travel information whilst on the move."